Source: The Bowl
People look blurred.
But for Russia, the situation suddenly deteriorated, and the United States and Europe suddenly increased sanctions against Russia. Trump, who was delighted a few days ago, announced the cancellation of talks with Putin; Under extreme pressure from the United States, according to media reports, India began to significantly reduce imports of Russian oil...
Oil is Russia’s life line.
What to do?
Putin, who has been silent, has also begun to fight back.
In response to the Budapest summit with Trump, Putin stated on October 23rd that the summit was not cancelled, but postponed.
“The President of the United States has decided to cancel or postpone the meeting, and he is probably talking about the postponement,” Putin said, “I can say that dialogue is always better than confrontation, debate, especially war.”
According to Putin, holding a summit was originally the idea of the United States, but he also believed that "it would be a mistake to hold a summit in a hurry".
Putin saw through Trump and changed three times a day, but the Budapest summit was only postponed.
As for U.S. and European sanctions on Russian oil companies, Putin has been tough, accusing it of "unfriendly behavior", but will not have a effect on Russia.
"This is certainly an attempt to put pressure on Russia. However, no self-respecting country or nation will make a decision under pressure." Putin said. "Russia is certainly lucky enough to be among countries and nations that respect themselves and love themselves."
He disclosed that he had discussed with Trump how Russian oil affects global and U.S. prices.
"Breaking this balance is not in the interest of those who try to break it." Putin said that it also reminded people that Trump imposed the most sanctions on Russia in history during his first term.
What does that mean?
If you impose sanctions on Russian oil, then global oil prices will rise dramatically and ultimately damage your American interests.
As for the West's provision of long-range weapons to Ukraine, Putin warned that the consequences would be serious.
"If this weapon (long-range missile) is used to attack Russian territory, the consequences will be extremely serious and even alarming." Putin warned,"They'd better think about this carefully."
But overall, Putin’s warning was restrained, and to Trump, too.
Compared to Putin, former Russian President Medvedev has a lot to do.
"Trump cancels the Budapest summit. The United States imposes a new round of sanctions on us." Medvedev wrote on social media that day. "What else? Besides the infamous Tomahawk missile, will there be new weapons?"
"If people still have illusions, it is time to wake up now. The United States is our enemy, and their bombastic 'peacemaker' is now officially on the road to war against Russia." "Yes, he has not always actively fought on the side of Nazi-controlled Kiev, but now this is his conflict, not Biden's muddle-headed farce!"
He believes that Trump has colluded with Europe. "However, Trump's swing again also has an obvious advantage: we can use all kinds of weapons to slam all Nazi strongholds without any scruples, without paying attention to those redundant negotiations."
“We are to win in the only place where victory is possible, in the battlefield, not at the negotiating table; by destroying the enemy, not by making meaningless ‘deals.’”
Directly scolding Trump is not afraid of Western sanctions at all, which is also very Medvedev.
What did Trump react?
A few hours later, a reporter asked Trump: Putin basically said today that Russia is not affected by U.S. sanctions. He said it would not have any serious impact on the Russian economy. Is he wrong?
Trump replied: I'm glad he has this idea. I'll tell you in six months. Let's see how things go...
Things are like that, Putin and Trump, have completed the latest deal, and the deal is still going on.
What do you think?
Let's make three superficial points.
First, all parties are trying to exert extreme pressure.
This time, the West has tried its best to increase sanctions and put extreme pressure on Russia. At the same time, rumors of Tomahawk missiles were released with the intention of forcing Russia to return to the negotiating table.
But Russia is not vegetarian either. On the battlefield, the Russian army continued to advance violently. Regarding Western sanctions, Putin assumed an unyielding posture.
Everyone comes to me and speaks to me, but honestly, after a round of game, the whole world is a little immune to this.
Of course, this new round of sanctions, especially the U.S. imposed on the Russian oil giant, also forced India to cut Russian oil imports, is still very unusual.
Russia does not dare to have any intentions, and Putin should have a good conversation with Modi.
After all, pressure can both forge steel and break backbones, and the key lies in the texture of the bearer.
Second, Trump is also increasingly uncertain.
A few days ago, the end of the talks with Putin was also cheerful, even the location was announced in Budapest; a few days later, it was very unhappy to announce the cancellation of the meeting with Putin, not even to mention the postponement.
What drugs are sold in Trump?
The White House said Trump wanted to see action rather than empty talk, “he is increasingly frustrated with this war and the lack of progress on both sides.”
So, despite the whistleblowing of Zelensky in the White House, there is still public pressure on Russia, of course, for the outcome of the pressure, Trump has no end in the heart, there is no confidence in ending the war in 24 hours, only to express "see in six months."
There are no eternal enemies or friends in the political arena, only constantly adjusting chips and calculations.
Within six months, there must be various iterations and even reversals.
It is not ruled out that Trump and Putin suddenly smiled and met again, and it is not ruled out that Europe has been left aside and can't be served on the table again.
Third, the war between Russia and Ukraine should indeed end.
One thing, Trump is right. The three-year war between Russia and Ukraine is indeed time to end.
Blood has been shed enough, Ukraine is crying, Russia is violent, and the whole world is touched.
But when the war stops, all parties need to show rationality.
If the West, including Ukraine, insisted on the original claim that Russia should give up all of its possessed Ukrainian land, it would be unrealistic, and it would mean the war would continue.
This is the cruel reality.
From this perspective, Trump is more rational than Europeans. Although Europeans lambaste Trump, there must be something fishy between you and Putin.
Russia will also be alert that while it has a full advantage on the battlefield, it is unlikely that it will quickly capture Ukraine, which means the West can cut meat with a knife and continue to consume Russia through Ukraine.
The current intimidation, threats, and various sanctions are just a more intense game between all parties before a major turning point.
But there are several things that are certain: what you can't get on the battlefield, you can't get it at the negotiating table; peace is not a zero-sum game. The true wisdom lies in knowing when to advance and when to stop; when the smoke is cleared, history will eventually remember not whose fist is stronger, but who has more wisdom.